Connect to Community seeks to support men and women leaving prison to achieve their goals and to build a positive pathway after prison, by providing friendship that connects and integrates people to live transformed lives in the community.
"Connect to Community is like winning the lottery. If you never had that support you'd be either sleeping on the street, have no money and left to do it on your own. If it wasn't for Connect to Community, I'd be back in by now."
Activity
Volunteer mentors will be trained to befriend and support an individual over the flrst year of their journey away from re-offending after release from prison. Initial period on release from prison can be quite intense and may require a couple of days of intense help, thereafter the mentor and mentee may meet on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
Time
There is a one-day training course. As the relationship between volunteer mentor and mentee is a befriending one, the number of times they meet is left for them to agree.
Cost
There are no initial costs other than a nominal fee for the training course. Individuals are £15 and church groups (of 2 upwards) are £25.
Partnership
Training from Connect to Communitv will help churches to establish a team of support around the volunteer mentor and the mentee. Using untapped resources within the church to help with issues of employability, budgeting, dealing with social services etc.
Support
Volunteer mentors participate in a one day training course and Connect to Community staff are always available for assistance when reouired through phone calls and visits.
Resources
It is probably best if the mentor has their own transport though not essential. Expenses incurred in assisting their mentee can be recuperated by the mentor.
People
Connect to Community has a Reintegration Co-ordinator, a Resettlement Worker and a Referrals & Communication Worker, who are on hand for advice for both the volunteer mentor and mentee. The volunteer mentor needs no previous experience but a heart to help some of the most vulnerable in society.
Replications
Connect to Community has:
Replications
FREE Getting Started Guide
Register for your interest and we’ll send you our FREE Cinnamon guide to starting your social action project. Furthermore, we’ll pass your enquiry directly onto the relevant people so they can get in touch with you.
